Tuesday, October 31, 2006
It's a Scary Day!
I looked at my calendar today and became scared, very scared. It is October 31st! Where has my month gone?!?!?
I glance around my house and realize that my time has not been spent on cleaning or accomplishing any of the many projects waiting patiently on my attention. I look at my calendar and realize that my time has simply been chipped away with lots of things....important things, but not things that leave me with a finished product which I can claim as "done".
Things that have kept me busy: camping, meetings, school, church, seminars, practices, games, laundry, housework. Yes, that pretty much begins to cover it.
I would love to sit and type all the things that have been floating around in my head the past couple of weeks, but I must continue my journey for the day. I must not forget to enjoy the journey!
I will be back!
simple faith
I looked at my calendar today and became scared, very scared. It is October 31st! Where has my month gone?!?!?
I glance around my house and realize that my time has not been spent on cleaning or accomplishing any of the many projects waiting patiently on my attention. I look at my calendar and realize that my time has simply been chipped away with lots of things....important things, but not things that leave me with a finished product which I can claim as "done".
Things that have kept me busy: camping, meetings, school, church, seminars, practices, games, laundry, housework. Yes, that pretty much begins to cover it.
I would love to sit and type all the things that have been floating around in my head the past couple of weeks, but I must continue my journey for the day. I must not forget to enjoy the journey!
I will be back!
simple faith
Labels: Musings
Monday, October 16, 2006
Temptation
I saw him as I passed by.....he was surrounded by many friends, but he stood out. Tall, a little crooked - his character was unmistakable.
I have passed that way several times recently and have not noticed him. But tonight, he seemed to be calling my name.
I resisted the temptation. "I have plenty," I tell myself.
Yes, but none so tall and so crooked. Isn't there always room for one more??
I must be strong. I must send my husband to deliver and fetch my son from football practice lest I succumb to my weakness.
Pumpkin obsessions are a dangerous thing!!!
simple faith
I saw him as I passed by.....he was surrounded by many friends, but he stood out. Tall, a little crooked - his character was unmistakable.
I have passed that way several times recently and have not noticed him. But tonight, he seemed to be calling my name.
I resisted the temptation. "I have plenty," I tell myself.
Yes, but none so tall and so crooked. Isn't there always room for one more??
I must be strong. I must send my husband to deliver and fetch my son from football practice lest I succumb to my weakness.
Pumpkin obsessions are a dangerous thing!!!
simple faith
Labels: Pumpkins
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Porch Pumpkins
It all begins innocently enough. I spy them in the grocery store at the end of September. I take mental notes on who is carrying what and at what price. I usually maintain some form of self control until October officially arrives. This year I even managed to wait until the first weekend of October.
"I think I am going to the produce stand."
"For what?"
"I just want to check out their pumpkins."
My husband offers to come along.
This is odd - I am convinced it was a defensive move on his part to curb my pumpkin spending. It worked. I shopped quickly (for me) and left with only one ghost pumpkin and one cinderella pumpkin. But I did take mental notes.....
The next day a trip to one grocery store secures a bag of assorted gourds. (I am stockpiling everything in the garage until I have gathered the "just right" assortment.)
The next day the true shopping begins.
Yes, that was me. Yes, I did have a shopping cart only for pumpkins - that's all I went there for. Yes, I drove my empty shopping cart through the produce section studying every pumpkin. Yes, I did weigh the pie pumpkins - they were going to be too pricey. Yes, I did climb on the hay bales outside and dig through the cardboard pumpkin bins. Yes, I left with multiple pumpkins.
I put out all my gatherings. Front porch and kitchen porch both properly adorned with pumpkins. Gourds displayed on an antique orange picnic basket in a chair on the front porch.
It's still not quite right......no, I need some pie pumpkins.
Back to the produce stand to purchase a few of the small pumpkins. Their selection has long stems. That makes me happy.
While trying to choose my small pumpkins I am studying one in particular. One of the girls working the stand comments, "That one is really cute." Finally - someone who speaks my pumpkin language!!!
I take that one, and a few others. Home to finish off the pumpkin project. Ah, life is good.
Although, I never did find a good tall one this year.
simple faith
It all begins innocently enough. I spy them in the grocery store at the end of September. I take mental notes on who is carrying what and at what price. I usually maintain some form of self control until October officially arrives. This year I even managed to wait until the first weekend of October.
"I think I am going to the produce stand."
"For what?"
"I just want to check out their pumpkins."
My husband offers to come along.
This is odd - I am convinced it was a defensive move on his part to curb my pumpkin spending. It worked. I shopped quickly (for me) and left with only one ghost pumpkin and one cinderella pumpkin. But I did take mental notes.....
The next day a trip to one grocery store secures a bag of assorted gourds. (I am stockpiling everything in the garage until I have gathered the "just right" assortment.)
The next day the true shopping begins.
Yes, that was me. Yes, I did have a shopping cart only for pumpkins - that's all I went there for. Yes, I drove my empty shopping cart through the produce section studying every pumpkin. Yes, I did weigh the pie pumpkins - they were going to be too pricey. Yes, I did climb on the hay bales outside and dig through the cardboard pumpkin bins. Yes, I left with multiple pumpkins.
I put out all my gatherings. Front porch and kitchen porch both properly adorned with pumpkins. Gourds displayed on an antique orange picnic basket in a chair on the front porch.
It's still not quite right......no, I need some pie pumpkins.
Back to the produce stand to purchase a few of the small pumpkins. Their selection has long stems. That makes me happy.
While trying to choose my small pumpkins I am studying one in particular. One of the girls working the stand comments, "That one is really cute." Finally - someone who speaks my pumpkin language!!!
I take that one, and a few others. Home to finish off the pumpkin project. Ah, life is good.
Although, I never did find a good tall one this year.
simple faith
Labels: Pumpkins
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Sunday Morning
I am one of those people who enjoys Sunday mornings in church. My Sunday School teacher is blessed with the gift of teaching and constantly challenges my thinking and attitudes. Most days I love my church family dearly - some days I just love them, but most days dearly. My pastor is skilled at planning the service and presenting the Word of God in a way that leads me, for at least one hour each week, in to worship.
Our church is eight years old. We have undergone many changes in this time, but one aspect of our worship that remains the same is our greeting. Someone, usually my husband, begins the service by welcoming us all there and then we spend a few moments greeting one another. We all enjoy this time. It is not unusual for choir members to run to the choir loft after the music has stopped playing (our sign that the greeting time is over).
Sunday morning I position myself skillfully between my two sons. They are 12 and 14, you would think this would not be a necessity, but it is. The music begins and I excuse myself around my 14 year old. Within half a step, I am all but tackled from behind by my 14 year old as a melee has obviously began to occur in my pew. Thankfully I have not fallen in to the aisle on some poor passerby.
I turn to grab the offender and begin a not so holy tirade at both boys in as hushed tones as possible between my clenched teeth. Sensing my fury, they do not meander long in the world of "it was him, not me." I turn to greet an understanding friend in the aisle and then position myself, again, squarely between the two boys. A couple of other friends wander by to bestow their condolences. These friends know if I am standing guard during the greeting there are obvious reasons.....they are positioned on my right and on my left.
Please also note that we sit close to the front of the church. This was not a missed production!
Where did I begin? Oh yes, with worship......
This "pew incident" is not too commonplace anymore, but is also not a rarity. I have learned to take a couple of breaths and refocus. That is what worshipping with children next to you is like.
The last song of our singing time was a familiar and always (in my life) an attitude adjusting chorus. We only sang it once, but it continues to run through my head even now.....
I love you with the love of the Lord.
Yes, I love you with the love of the Lord.
I can see in you the glory of my King,
And I love you with the love of the Lord.
Isn't that just like the Holy Spirit? When I am at my wit's end with my boys, I am given a song or led to a passage that speaks to my heart.
Boy, do I need this song this week!
simple faith
I am one of those people who enjoys Sunday mornings in church. My Sunday School teacher is blessed with the gift of teaching and constantly challenges my thinking and attitudes. Most days I love my church family dearly - some days I just love them, but most days dearly. My pastor is skilled at planning the service and presenting the Word of God in a way that leads me, for at least one hour each week, in to worship.
Our church is eight years old. We have undergone many changes in this time, but one aspect of our worship that remains the same is our greeting. Someone, usually my husband, begins the service by welcoming us all there and then we spend a few moments greeting one another. We all enjoy this time. It is not unusual for choir members to run to the choir loft after the music has stopped playing (our sign that the greeting time is over).
Sunday morning I position myself skillfully between my two sons. They are 12 and 14, you would think this would not be a necessity, but it is. The music begins and I excuse myself around my 14 year old. Within half a step, I am all but tackled from behind by my 14 year old as a melee has obviously began to occur in my pew. Thankfully I have not fallen in to the aisle on some poor passerby.
I turn to grab the offender and begin a not so holy tirade at both boys in as hushed tones as possible between my clenched teeth. Sensing my fury, they do not meander long in the world of "it was him, not me." I turn to greet an understanding friend in the aisle and then position myself, again, squarely between the two boys. A couple of other friends wander by to bestow their condolences. These friends know if I am standing guard during the greeting there are obvious reasons.....they are positioned on my right and on my left.
Please also note that we sit close to the front of the church. This was not a missed production!
Where did I begin? Oh yes, with worship......
This "pew incident" is not too commonplace anymore, but is also not a rarity. I have learned to take a couple of breaths and refocus. That is what worshipping with children next to you is like.
The last song of our singing time was a familiar and always (in my life) an attitude adjusting chorus. We only sang it once, but it continues to run through my head even now.....
I love you with the love of the Lord.
Yes, I love you with the love of the Lord.
I can see in you the glory of my King,
And I love you with the love of the Lord.
Isn't that just like the Holy Spirit? When I am at my wit's end with my boys, I am given a song or led to a passage that speaks to my heart.
Boy, do I need this song this week!
simple faith
Labels: Boys, Spiritual Journey
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Being a Football Mom
In case you haven't noticed, football season is well underway. I spend a lot of time during the months of August, September, October, November, and December in some way involved with this sport. I love my alma mater Cowboys and follow them in person, on the radio, or on the TV. We attend most high school football games for our small city and occasionally travel to watch my husband's former high school play ball also. Then you must factor in the practices we take our youngest son to and from and all his scrimmages and games. Football is truly a season at my house!
The strange thing is, I do not really understand the sport that well. Oh, I can figure out all the basics and some of the intricacies, but don't push your luck.
I will partly blame this on the fact that I did not grow up around this sport. My tiny town in the southwest corner of our state did not have a football program. I was a junior in high school before I saw my first "live" football game. I captured the basics easily and was fine with that depth of knowledge for years. But now, I have a son who likes and plays the sport. I find myself at a loss in the lingo.
Conversation following a practice this week:
"How was practice?"
"Great. They changed the position I play."
"Really, what are you playing now?"
"Middle linebacker."
My son seems pleased with this change - that is a good thing. The problem is, I don't have a complete understanding of where this position is on the field, or if it is an offense or defense type thing. Up to this point, he has played on the line (offense and defense). I can handle that position and couple it with the fact that he is the only player on his team who wears long socks - I am good to go.
What now? I can see it is time to reveal just a tad bit of my lack of knowledge to my son. I think my guys do not completely realize how little I understand......well, I tell myself that anyways.
"So, where would I look for you on the field?"
"I line up in the middle of the three guys standing right behind the line."
I can handle that.
Did he say that was offense or defense?
I am sure I will figure it out tomorrow night.
simple faith
In case you haven't noticed, football season is well underway. I spend a lot of time during the months of August, September, October, November, and December in some way involved with this sport. I love my alma mater Cowboys and follow them in person, on the radio, or on the TV. We attend most high school football games for our small city and occasionally travel to watch my husband's former high school play ball also. Then you must factor in the practices we take our youngest son to and from and all his scrimmages and games. Football is truly a season at my house!
The strange thing is, I do not really understand the sport that well. Oh, I can figure out all the basics and some of the intricacies, but don't push your luck.
I will partly blame this on the fact that I did not grow up around this sport. My tiny town in the southwest corner of our state did not have a football program. I was a junior in high school before I saw my first "live" football game. I captured the basics easily and was fine with that depth of knowledge for years. But now, I have a son who likes and plays the sport. I find myself at a loss in the lingo.
Conversation following a practice this week:
"How was practice?"
"Great. They changed the position I play."
"Really, what are you playing now?"
"Middle linebacker."
My son seems pleased with this change - that is a good thing. The problem is, I don't have a complete understanding of where this position is on the field, or if it is an offense or defense type thing. Up to this point, he has played on the line (offense and defense). I can handle that position and couple it with the fact that he is the only player on his team who wears long socks - I am good to go.
What now? I can see it is time to reveal just a tad bit of my lack of knowledge to my son. I think my guys do not completely realize how little I understand......well, I tell myself that anyways.
"So, where would I look for you on the field?"
"I line up in the middle of the three guys standing right behind the line."
I can handle that.
Did he say that was offense or defense?
I am sure I will figure it out tomorrow night.
simple faith
Labels: Boys
